New York tribune (daily) no. 7892

UTAH.
REPORT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE—THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OPENLY VIOLATED—NECES-SITY OF AN ARMED FORCE THERE TO PRESERVE PUBLIC PEACE. WASHINGTON, Monday, July 23, 1866.
The House Committee on Territories have made a report on the condition of Utah. They say the testimony discloses the fact that the laws of the United States are openly and defiantly violated throughout the Territory, and that an armed force is necessary to preserve the peace and give security to the lives and property of citizens of the United States residing therein. The only witness introduced at the request of the Delegate from Utah admits the necessity of maintaining United States troops in the Territory in order to secure protection and safety to persons and property. The Committee have been unable to adopt the suggestions made by some of the gentlemen examined for the abolition of the present Territorial Government of Utah, and the establishment of a Military Government. They also regret to state that they have been unable to agree upon and submit for the action of the House a plan which seemed to them to promise a practical solution of the abuses and evils complained of and which are admitted to exist. They do not deem it advisable either to divide the Territory and annex it to Nevada and the Territories adjacent, nor do they favor the establishment of a Military Government. They have therefore been compelled to postpone the further consideration of the matter until December next.
On the 18th of June, Mr. Hooper, the delegate from Utah, addressed a letter to the„ Chairman of the Committee, in which he denied the statements of some of the witnesses, and asks that no report be made to the House until the people of Utah could be heard in reply to the charges made against them. He also asked for a copy of the testimony already taken, which the Committee declined to furnish him. He subsequently appeared before the Committee and requested that a select committee or a sub-committee from the Territorial Committee be sent to Utah by direction of the House, with authority to examine and report on all the allegations made by the witnesses examined, and also on the condition of all classes residing in the Territory. The Committee were unable to satisfy themselves that any material facts could be obtained even if a sub-committee should go to the Territory. They therefore declined to ask the House to make an order which would necessarily involve a large expenditure of money in sending such a committee to Utah. Among the witnesses examined was Joseph Smith, the son of the founder of the Mormon Church, who says the Book of Mormon explicitly condems and forbids polygamy, which was not known, acknowledged or held as an article of faith until Brigham Young became the leader of that part of the Church which went West with him. The Church did not, under the presidency of his father, nor-does it now under his. The witnesses testify that the Presidency teaches hostility to the Government of the United States. Gen. Connor, who has been military commander of the District of Utah since 1862, testified that polygamy is taught as a fundamental principle of the Mormon religion, and disloyalty and treason to the Government is a practice enjoined by the tenets. It is regarded by good Mormons not only allowable but meritorious to assail and despoil the Federal Government in every practicable way. Gen. Connor has no doubt that the Mormon leaders have assumed to authorize and justify homicide. He believes it from their own record, from current report among themselves, and from a Mormon confessed to him that he had committed murder by direction of the Mormon leaders, and believed at the time he was doing right, as taught by them. As further evidence, the witness submitted the following copy of a special order issued by Brigham Young for the murder of 80 innocent men, discharged teamsters of Gen. Johnson's command, then at Fort Bridger, Utah, who were en route for California. Fortunately, the officer designated to execute the order was a humane person, and did not execute it, and lately gave the original order to a Federal officer in Utah, and it is now in Gen. Conner's possession. The signature of James Ferguson is authenticated by the affidavits of two respectable merchants of Salt Lake City.
SALT LAKE CITY, April 9, 1858.
SPECIAL ORDER.—The officer in command of escort is hereby ordered to see that every man is well prepared with ammunition, and have it ready at the time you see those teamsters a hundred miles from the settlement. President Young advises that they should be all killed to prevent them from returning to Bridger, to rejoin our enemies. Every precaution should be taken, and see that not one escapes. Secresy is required. By order of Gen. Daniel H. Wells,
JAMES FERGUSON, A. A. G.
Other witnesses testified to the demoralized condition of the Mormons.

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UTAH.
REPORT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE—THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OPENLY VIOLATED—NECES-SITY OF AN ARMED FORCE THERE TO PRESERVE PUBLIC PEACE. WASHINGTON, Monday, July 23, 1866.
The House Committee on Territories have made a report on the condition of Utah. They say the testimony discloses the fact that the laws of the United States are openly and defiantly violated throughout the Territory, and that an armed force is necessary to preserve the peace and give security to the lives and property of citizens of the United States residing therein. The only witness introduced at the request of the Delegate from Utah admits the necessity of maintaining United States troops in the Territory in order to secure protection and safety to persons and property. The Committee have been unable to adopt the suggestions made by some of the gentlemen examined for the abolition of the present Territorial Government of Utah, and the establishment of a Military Government. They also regret to state that they have been unable to agree upon and submit for the action of the House a plan which seemed to them to promise a practical solution of the abuses and evils complained of and which are admitted to exist. They do not deem it advisable either to divide the Territory and annex it to Nevada and the Territories adjacent, nor do they favor the establishment of a Military Government. They have therefore been compelled to postpone the further consideration of the matter until December next.
On the 18th of June, Mr. Hooper, the delegate from Utah, addressed a letter to the„ Chairman of the Committee, in which he denied the statements of some of the witnesses, and asks that no report be made to the House until the people of Utah could be heard in reply to the charges made against them. He also asked for a copy of the testimony already taken, which the Committee declined to furnish him. He subsequently appeared before the Committee and requested that a select committee or a sub-committee from the Territorial Committee be sent to Utah by direction of the House, with authority to examine and report on all the allegations made by the witnesses examined, and also on the condition of all classes residing in the Territory. The Committee were unable to satisfy themselves that any material facts could be obtained even if a sub-committee should go to the Territory. They therefore declined to ask the House to make an order which would necessarily involve a large expenditure of money in sending such a committee to Utah. Among the witnesses examined was Joseph Smith, the son of the founder of the Mormon Church, who says the Book of Mormon explicitly condems and forbids polygamy, which was not known, acknowledged or held as an article of faith until Brigham Young became the leader of that part of the Church which went West with him. The Church did not, under the presidency of his father, nor-does it now under his. The witnesses testify that the Presidency teaches hostility to the Government of the United States. Gen. Connor, who has been military commander of the District of Utah since 1862, testified that polygamy is taught as a fundamental principle of the Mormon religion, and disloyalty and treason to the Government is a practice enjoined by the tenets. It is regarded by good Mormons not only allowable but meritorious to assail and despoil the Federal Government in every practicable way. Gen. Connor has no doubt that the Mormon leaders have assumed to authorize and justify homicide. He believes it from their own record, from current report among themselves, and from a Mormon confessed to him that he had committed murder by direction of the Mormon leaders, and believed at the time he was doing right, as taught by them. As further evidence, the witness submitted the following copy of a special order issued by Brigham Young for the murder of 80 innocent men, discharged teamsters of Gen. Johnson's command, then at Fort Bridger, Utah, who were en route for California. Fortunately, the officer designated to execute the order was a humane person, and did not execute it, and lately gave the original order to a Federal officer in Utah, and it is now in Gen. Conner's possession. The signature of James Ferguson is authenticated by the affidavits of two respectable merchants of Salt Lake City.
SALT LAKE CITY, April 9, 1858.
SPECIAL ORDER.—The officer in command of escort is hereby ordered to see that every man is well prepared with ammunition, and have it ready at the time you see those teamsters a hundred miles from the settlement. President Young advises that they should be all killed to prevent them from returning to Bridger, to rejoin our enemies. Every precaution should be taken, and see that not one escapes. Secresy is required. By order of Gen. Daniel H. Wells,
JAMES FERGUSON, A. A. G.
Other witnesses testified to the demoralized condition of the Mormons.